Our leadership team
Made up of well-known, highly respected individuals, our leadership team has unrivalled knowledge and experience in the UK financial services market.
Lord Leitch, Chairman
In 2004, Sandy was awarded a Life Peerage. Two years later he launched Intrinsic with the rest of the Executive Team. Sandy's chairman and CEO record is outstanding, with his extensive knowledge spanning life assurance, general insurance, banking, asset management, and venture capital across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the USA.
After joining Hambro Life (later to become Allied Dunbar) at 21, Sandy quickly moved through the ranks to the top position. In March 2004 he retired as Chairman and CEO of UKISA and Asia Pacific Division, which had become Zurich Financial Services.
Sandy's role in the industry has been a prominent one. He was chairman of the Association of British Insurers and is non-executive director of Lloyds TSB, BUPA and United Business Media.
Richard Freeman, Chief Executive Officer
Richard moved into the financial services industry in 1989 after a very successful 16-year career in the British Army. Starting in direct sales at Allied Dunbar, it wasn't long before Richard took the title of Area Sales Director in 1999 — the quickest a manager has ever achieved.
As a member of Allied Dunbar's Management Board, Richard was directly responsible for over 2,000 advisers and 180 managers. He joined Intrinsic as Sales Director when the business launched in 2005, and was promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer in March 2010.
Kevin Ronaldson, Group Marketing Director
With over 26 years' experience, Kevin is well known throughout the industry and has excellent relationships with distributors, lenders and product providers. His career began in 1979 when he joined Hambro Life (later becoming Allied Dunbar) as a financial adviser, straight from Oxford University. Kevin was top financial adviser for 1994 to 1996, after building Allied Dunbar's most successful sales franchise. In 1997, he joined the Board of Allied Dunbar as Development Director, and has also held board positions of Product Director, Marketing Director, and Strategic Distribution Director for Allied Dunbar, and Zurich Life Assurance Business. Kevin was also Chairman of Zurich Independent (a wholly owned IFA subsidiary) until August 2004, when he left to build and launch Intrinsic.
Wallace Dobbin, Managing Director Corporate
As a qualified barrister, Wallace Dobbin, is perfectly placed in the leadership team at Intrinsic. Wallace was formerly Legal Director for Allied Dunbar and responsible for product development and corporate legal services. In 1992, he became Business Development Director, and it was in this capacity that he led the team that acquired the Hill Samuel and Save and Prosper sales forces.
In 1995, Wallace moved to BAT Financial Services as Strategy and Planning Director, and it was here that he designed the operating model for BAFS. Following the merger with Zurich, he became Strategy, Marketing and Communications Director for the UK, South Africa and Asia Pacific. He led the development of the Zurich UK brand, including the award-winning sponsorship of the English Rugby Premiership.
David Capel, Finance Director
With huge experience in finance, products, marketing and strategic developments, David is a truly well-rounded Finance Director. A Chartered Accountant, David joined Hambro Life Assurance in 1976 and was promoted to Associate Director in 1986. It was then that his finance role became much more business and adviser facing — primarily leading and supporting strategic developments such as M&A initiatives; major IT initiatives; negotiation of major contracts; and risk management.
In 1996, David became Strategic Development Director and Allied Dunbar Product Development Director in 1998. From 2000 to 2004, David was Life Product Development Director for the UK Life Businesses of Zurich Financial Services (including Allied Dunbar, Eagle Star and Sterling).
George Mitchell, Non Executive Director
George Mitchell was a former Governor of the Bank of Scotland and Executive Director of HBOS PLC until December 2005. He joined the Bank of Scotland PLC in 1966 and his senior management responsibilities have included positions within Treasury Services and Personal Banking. George became a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers in Scotland in 1993. He has worked in a wide range of business areas and a number of locations including London, New York, and Hong Kong.
Paul Manduca, Non Executive Director
Paul Manduca was a former Chief Executive Officer of Europe at Aberdeen Fund Management Limited, and the Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Asset Management Europe Ltd. until 2005. Paul also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Rothschild Asset Management International from 1999 to 2002, and was Founding Chief Executive Officer of Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Ltd. from 1994 to 1999. Paul holds a Master's degree in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford, and is a member of the Securities Institute.
Keith Baldwin, Non Executive Director
Keith Baldwin served as Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Allied Dunbar Assurance PLC and was Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Zurich (UK, International and Ireland) Life, where he worked closely with Lord Sandy Leitch, now chairman of Intrinsic. Keith joined Hill Samuel in 1973 and then moved to Hambro Life in 1974. After joining Hambro Life he held a wide range of roles, including Sales Director in 1990 of Allied Dunbar. He co-founded Home of Choice Limited and served as its Non Executive Chairman until 2010.